The International Office

The International Office supports the University's drive to internationalise all areas of activity whether that is through supporting the development of links with international partners; increasing opportunities for staff and students to spend time abroad; diversifying the University's international student population; or identifying funding sources for scholarships. We work closely with colleagues across academic and professional services in order to increase the University's profile internationally so that we are as well known across the world as we are here in the UK.

The International Office consists of four main teams listed below. The Director of the International Office is Sharne Procter, supported by the Office Manager, Christine Pears.

International Student Support

Fiona O'Carroll, Tia Khan, Lynsey Finnemore and Mona Saleh

The ISS team are responsible for advising and supporting students through the visa application and extension process, an area of work which has seen considerable change over the last few months due to the introduction of the new Points Based Immigration system. The team are also responsible for the organisation of the University's Meet and Greet service for new international students, the best in the country according to the most recent International Student Barometer Survey.

Study Abroad and Exchange

Anja Bleidorn and Rachael Bird

The University sends approximately 269 students abroad on study and work placements and exchanges each year and accepts around 180. Anja and Rachael work closely with departmental co-ordinators to ensure that the process is as smooth as possible and to ensure that we maintain good relations with international student exchange partners. This is an area of activity we wish to grow through increased exchange opportunities and the possibility of short-term Summer School exchanges.

Partnerships, networks and Regional Interest Groups

Jemima Lloyd

Building the right international institutional partnerships is key to helping raise the University's international profile and providing our staff and students with international opportunities. Jemima's role is to support this aspect of the University's strategy and her focus is currently on two major areas: the development of seven Regional Interest Groups which have been formed to share information and identify potential funding, partnerships and/or research opportunities in each global region (www.durham.ac.uk/international/global); and acting as our main contact and Durham University co-ordinator for the newly formed Matariki Network of Universities which includes the following partner universities: Otago (NZ), Uppsalla (Sweden), Dartmouth College (US), Queen's (Canada), Tubingen (Germany) and UWA (Australia).

International Student Recruitment and Marketing

Ensuring we meet our international recruitment targets is increasingly important in securing a sustainable financial position and to increase the diversity of our student population. The recruitment and marketing team works across a range of countries to recruit high quality international students through a range of activities including: attendance at education fairs; working with education agents; meeting with applicants, their parents and teachers; and visiting schools, colleges and partner universities. They work with academic colleagues to support departmental and faculty recruitment activities, whether that is accompanying staff on recruitment visits or the provision of market information to assist in the development of new programmes relevant to the international market.